Live A Sinful Life . . . Why Shouldn't I" Series

Authentic Christian Living

Live a sinful life . . . Why not?

I John 3:4-10

We are saved by grace through Jesus Christ and regardless whether or not you believe in eternal security, one can say that God will forgive any and all of the sins I commit when I ask Him. So why not indulge a little? We don’t have to go too far into sin. Just dip your toe in it . . . wade into the shallow end and enjoy myself for a little while.

1) To live in sin is to live in rebellion against God. (4)

a. What is “lawbreaker”? Greek, “anomos”

1. Eng. Anomy = no law

2. Related to “anarchy” = no leadership.

b. Character of a lawbreaker.

1. You become very self-centered not God-centered.

2. You begin rationalizing your sinful actions. (Jas 2:10)

3. You become hardened to the consequences of sin. (Heb 3:13)

4. You separated from your church family. (Jas 4:1)

5. You will live a very restless life.

a. Anonomous =No name.

b. Anomy= no law, rootlessness!

c. Misnomer= “Living for God is bondage. Living in sin is real freedom!”

2) To live in sin is to completely disregard Jesus Christ. (5-6, 8b)

a. We have disregard for who Christ is. (5-6)

1. He who knew no sin became sin for us

2.

b. We have disregard for what Christ did for us. (8b)

1. He defeated the power that sin has over you. (Cols 2:13-15)

a. You’re still living in the cemetery!!!

d. Shadow stories (My dog is dumb):

a. Eating sons pizza when he’s not looking

b. Laying on the back of couch like a cat

c. Illus. Shadow getting into the cow field. Getting messy with cow dung. Me bathing her and her going right back.

d. She doesn’t appreciate me cleaning her up!!

2. “But I do know God, pastor! I appreciate Him!

- So, then why do you keep going back?!?

3. To live in sin erases the battle lines that God has drawn in our lives. (7-8)

a. Romans 2:18, 21, 24, 28-32

i. The world is in terrible condition! (Build up the sinfulness of the world)

ii. BUT read 2:1 (3, 4, 5 “YOU”)

iii. "Why did yo have to take the focus off the sinful world and put it on me?"

b. Jas 2:10-11

i. Rob a bank,

ii. "I’m not as bad as a rapist!"

iii. No, but guess who you’ll be sharing a jail cell with?

4. To live in sin is to live a miserable life. (9-10)

a. “Why does a Christian not live sin?” (9a)

i. They have the presence of the Spirit in their lives.

ii. Holy Spirit has many roles.

iii. Illus. (St Bernard represent Holy Spirit)

The man huddled on the cabin floor was slowly freezing to death. It was high in the Rockies in southwestern Alberta, and outside a blizzard raged. John Elliott had logged miles that day through the deep snows of the mountain passes. As he checked for avalanches and as dusk and exhaustion overcame him he had decided to "hole-up." He made it wearily to his cabin but somewhat dazed with fatigue, he did not light a fire or remove his wet clothing. As the blizzard blasted through the cracks in the old cabin walls, the sleeping forest ranger sank into oblivion, paralyzed by the pleasure of the storm’s icy caress. Suddenly, however, his dog sprang into action, and with unrelenting whines, finally managed to rouse his near-comatose friend. The dog was John’s constant companion, a St. Bernard, one of a long line of dogs famous for their heroics in times of crisis. "If that dog hadn’t been with me, I’d be dead today," John Elliott says. "When you’re freezing to death you actually feel warm all over, and don’t wake up because it feels too good."

This moving story illustrates the spiritual condition of many people today. They are cold spiritually, and sadly are oblivious of their true condition. Thank God for all the ways in which He arouses such sleepers. He sends His messengers to nudge them awake. Sometimes the methods used to awaken them are drastic, but always for their good. Let us not imagine that because He shakes us, He therefore hates us. He awakens us from lethargy because He loves us, and wants to save us from an eternal death. When we were "ready to perish" (Isaiah 27:13), He was "ready to save" (Isaiah 38:20). Trust your life in His hand.

The Prairie Overcomer.

b. If you remain in sin, it means, you are either miserable or not a Christian at all.

i. Actions revel, not define!

ii. The day will come when the Christian has to answer for their lives. (1 John 2:28)

If you continue in Him, you’ll be unashamed.